Data entry system

ABSTRACT

A data entry system (100, 100&#39;) has an ergonomic base (102, 102&#39;) including upper surface controls (104, 104&#39;) which generate a first set of electrical signals, and side surface controls (106, 106&#39;) which generate a second set of electrical signals when operated independently. A third set of electrical signals are generated when the side surface controls (106, 106&#39;) are operated in combination with the upper surface controls (104, 104&#39;). Data entry system (100, 100&#39;) further includes mode selection controls (108) for establishing the first, second and third sets of electrical signals as device control signals responsive to a first mode being selected and respective sets of alphanumeric and keyboard control signals responsive to a second mode being selected.

This application is a divisional of copending application Ser. No.08/934,648 filed on Sep. 22, 1997.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention directs itself to ergonomic keyboard systems forproviding data entry to one or more devices. In particular, thisinvention directs itself to a data entry system which can function as agame controller and as an ergonomic keyboard. Still further, thisinvention directs itself to a data entry system having an ergonomic basewith a central support portion supporting a plurality of upper surfacecontrols. The ergonomic base further includes a back side having aplurality of side surface controls. More in particular, this inventionpertains to a data entry system wherein upper surface controls and sidesurface controls can be used independently, or in combination to providealphanumeric and keyboard control signals in a keyboard mode, while alsofunctioning independently in a device mode.

2. Prior Art

Keyboard data entry systems and game controllers are well known in theart. The best prior art known to the Applicants include U.S. Pat. No.5,493,654; No. 5,486,058; No. 5,481,263; No. 5,479,163; No. 5,451,053;No. 5,432,510; No. 5,426,449; No. 5,408,621; No. 5,332,322; No.5,317,505; No. 5,207,426; No. 5,160,919; No. 5,137,384; No. 4,917,516;No. 4,655,621; No. 4,552,360; No. 4,833,446; No. 4,727,478; No.4,680,577; No. 4,518,164; No. 4,516,939; No. 4,443,789; No. 4,442,506;No. 4,360,892; No. 3,990,565; German Patent #30804; PCT Publication#WO86-05143; European Published Patent Application #EP213022; thepublication entitled "Semi-captive Keyboard", Xerox Disclosure Journal,Vol. 1, No. 2, February 1976; and, the publication entitled "Hand-heldData Input Device", IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 26, No. 11,April 1984.

Some prior art systems, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,990,565;No. 5,137,384; No. 5,160,919; and, No. 5,426,449 are directed toergonomic keyboard systems wherein the user's hands are substantiallyvertically oriented when the keyboard is used. Such systems discloseutilizing somewhat standard QWERTY keyboard formats, as opposed to chordtype systems. However, such systems do not disclose or suggest thecombination of a keyboard with a game controller.

In other prior art systems, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.5,408,621, there are provided multi-directional switches for use inentering data into a computer. Through utilization of two twelveposition directional type switches, one hundred and forty-four differentinput combinations are generated to provide input of alphanumeric andother symbols. However, such does not disclose the combination of akeyboard data entry system and a game controller and does not providefor data entry utilizing both the thumbs and fingers of both hands ofthe user, to provide for high speed data entry.

In still other systems, such as that disclosed by U.S. Pat. No.4,552,360 and No. 4,518,164, video game controllers are disclosed whichinclude a numeric keypad. While the keypad provides for limited dataentry, such is intended to allow input of information to the video gamecomputer during play, to select skill levels, initiate the game, or thelike. Such systems do not include any mode controls for utilization ofthe multi-directional switches for generation of alphanumeric charactersin a keyboard mode.

Over the years, many prior art systems have presented alternatives tothe QWERTY format as a means of increasing typing speed. While thosesystems would permit a user to type faster, they required a user tolearn the new keyboard layout. In spite of the potential typing speedincrease, the public has been loath to adopt any keyboard format otherthan the old QWERTY arrangement. It is clear that once typists becomefamiliar with a keyboard layout, a promised increase in typing speed isnot sufficient motivation to learn an additional keyboard arrangement.

During the past decade there has been a tremendous growth in the use andownership of computer and video games. As a result, children and youngadults have become very accustomed to handling and using gamecontrollers that incorporate multidirectional switches. This growingportion of the keyboard-using population is likely to adopt a keyboardformat that is arranged like a game controller, can function as a gamecontroller, is ergonomically designed, allows users to enter data whileseated in a reclined position away from a desk and offers greater typingspeed. The likelihood of the instant invention being adopted by a largesegment of the keyboard-using public is further enhanced by the factthat the instant invention requires a minimal number of simultaneousdepression of keys.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A data entry system is provided. The data entry system includes anergonomic housing adapted to be held by two hands of a user. The dataentry system also includes a plurality of switches mounted on thehousing for operation by at least one digit of the user's hands, and aswitching assembly mounted on the housing for selecting between a firstoperating mode and a second operating mode. The data entry systemfurther includes a circuit for coupling an output of at least a portionof the plurality of switches as game input data responsive to theswitching assembly selecting the first operating mode and converting anoutput of at least a portion of the plurality of switches toalphanumeric character code data responsive to the switching assemblyselecting the second operating mode.

Looking at the data entry system in another way, such includes anergonomic base adapted to be graspable by two hands of a user, theergonomic base having an upper surface and a side surface. Additionally,the data entry system includes upper surface controls disposed on theergonomic base upper surface and adapted for operation by either of twoof a user's digits to generate a first set of electrical signals.Further, side surface controls are provided that are disposed on theside surface of the ergonomic base and adapted for operation by at leastanother of a user's digits on either of the user's two hands to generatea second set of electrical signals when operated independently and athird set of electrical signals when operated in combination with theupper surface controls. The first and second sets of electrical signalstogether representing at least a majority of alphabetic characters of analphabet.

It is therefore a feature of the invention to provide a data entrysystem which combines the functionality of an ergonomic keyboard withthat of a game controller.

It is another feature of the invention to provide a data entry systemhaving an ergonomic base which includes a pair of hand grip portionswhich extend substantially orthogonally with respect to an upper surfacethereof.

It is a further feature of the invention to provide a data entry systemhaving both upper surface controls and side surface controls whichrespectively generate first and second sets of electrical signals, thefirst and second sets of electrical signals representing a majority ofalphabetic characters of an alphabet.

It is still a further feature of the invention to provide upper surfacecontrols and side surface controls which respectively generate first andsecond sets of electrical signals when operated independently, andgenerate a third set of electrical signals when operated in combination,the third set of electrical signals representing characters selectedfrom the group consisting of numbers, punctuation, mathematicaloperators, words and combinations thereof.

It is yet a further feature of the invention to provide a data entrysystem having upper surface controls which generate signals representingalphabetic characters in a keyboard mode and directional control signalsin a game controller mode.

Yet another feature of the invention is to provide a data entry systemcapable of generating alphabetic characters in a keyboard mode andcontrol signals for controlling such devices as telephones, dedicatedInternet interface devices, and home entertainment devices in one ormore device control modes.

These and other advantages and novel features of the invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description when consideredin connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the data entry system according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a rear elevation view of another configuration of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a cut-away plan view of an alternate configuration of adirectional control of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the present invention showing the addition oflabeling thereto;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the multi-mode functions of thepresent invention; and,

FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4-6, there is shown data entry system100 which combines an ergonomic keyboard with a device controller. Aswill be seen in following paragraphs, data entry system 100 isspecifically directed to the concept of providing a single data entrydevice capable of communicating with a host of computational,communication and entertainment devices, found in the workplace and inthe home. Data entry system 100 functions as a fully functional 101 keykeyboard for communication with a computer system 300 and dedicatedInternet device 330 or any other device that utilizes an alphanumericinput, while acting as a numeric entry handset for telephone system 320.When used with telephone system 320, a microphone 184 incorporated insystem 100 is used to input voice signals, while a speaker of telephonesystem 320 or incorporated in system 100 (not shown) provides the voiceoutput to the user. Data entry system 100 also is capable of functioningas a game controller for use with the dedicated game system 310, or thepersonal computer 300, and as a remote control device for suchentertainment devices as the TV or cable tuner 340, a videoentertainment device 350 or an audio entertainment device 360. Thus, asingle ergonomically designed base 102 provides the controls 104, 106,108, 152 for interfacing with any one or more of the computational,communications and entertainment devices available for use in the homeor office.

Referring now to FIG. 1, data entry system 100 is packaged within anergonomic base 102 having a centrally disposed supporting portion 115from which hand grip portions 114 and 116 angularly extend. Thus, dataentry system 100 is intended to be utilized by both hands of a user. Theuser grasps the respective hand grip portions 114, 116 with each hand,the user's thumbs remaining extended over the central supportingportion. Both the central supporting portion 115 and each of the handgrip portions 114 and 116 include switches which the user will utilizeto enter data and control signals. Those switches which are disposed onthe central support portion 115 define the upper surface controls 104,such controls being intended to be individually operated by one or boththumbs of the user. The central support portion 115 also is providedwith a display 118, which may include an LCD display for indicating theparticular operating mode of system 100, as well as include lightemitting diode (LED) indicators for indicating the enablement of thenumber, shift and scroll lock functions.

The primary data entry controls of upper surface controls 104 are a pairof multi-directional switch assemblies 110 and 112, commonly known asD-pads. D-pads are well known in the game controller art, and functionto provide particular contact closures depending upon where the userapplies pressure on an operating button thereof. When the user depressesthe uppermost or northern position 130, 158 of the D-pad 110, 112, suchis equivalent to depressing a key of a standard keyboard. When the userdepresses the rightmost or east portion of the D-pad 132, 160, such isequivalent to a different key of a standard keyboard being depressed.Likewise, separate keystroke entries are made by depressing the southernportion 134, 162 and western portion 136, 164. It is possible to providefor yet additional keystroke entries by depression of the D-pad inportions intermediate the north, east, south and west positions withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. A switch pushbutton150, 166, defining an additional keystroke entry position, may beprovided centrally on each D-pad 110, 112. Thus, each D-pad 110, 112 mayprovide for five keystroke entries, that then may be increased utilizingchording techniques, as will be described in following paragraphs. Whereswitch pushbutton 150, 166 is not provided, the characters which wouldotherwise be generated thereby are generated by other of the uppersurface control switches 104 or side surface control switches 106.

Alternately, as shown in FIG. 3, the D-pads may be replaced by four tofive discrete switches. As an example, the upper surface controls 104'may include a switch pushbutton 158' disposed in the north position, aswitch pushbutton 160' located in the east position, a switch pushbutton162' located in the south position, and a switch pushbutton 164' locatedin the west position. Optionally, a switch pushbutton 166' may becentrally disposed with respect to switch pushbuttons 158', 160', 162'and 164'. Each of the switches being located on the central supportingportion 115 of the ergonomic base 102 are intended to be operated by thethumb of the user. Although the switch pushbuttons 158', 160', 162',164', and 166' are shown on the right side of ergonomic base 102, itshould be understood that the D-pad 110 may also be replaced by asimilar arrangement of switch pushbuttons.

Referring back to FIG. 1, each of the D-pads 110, 112 are surrounded byadditional switch pushbuttons for additional keystroke entries utilizingthe user's thumbs. Thus, surrounding the D-pad 110 there is provided afirst pair of switch pushbuttons 138 and 140 that are radially spacedand disposed intermediate the north D-pad position 130 and east D-padposition 132. Between the east position 132 and the south position 134,there are provided a pair of radially spaced switch pushbuttons 142 and144, and between the south position 134 and the west position 136 thereis also provided a pair of radially spaced switch pushbuttons 146 and148. Further, between the west position 136 and the north position 130there is provided a pair of radially spaced switch pushbuttons 126 and128. Similarly, the D-pad 112 is surrounded by radially spaced pairs ofswitch pushbuttons. Between the north position 158 and east position 160there is provided a pair of radially spaced switch pushbuttons 168 and170 and between the east position 160 and south position 162 there is apair of radially spaced switch pushbuttons 174 and 172. A pair of switchpushbuttons 178 and 160 are disposed radially between the south position162 and the west position 164, and radially spaced between the westposition 164 and north position 158 there is provided a pair of switchpushbuttons 182 and 180. While the switch pushbuttons 126, 128, 138,140, 142, 144, 146, 148 and 168, 170, 172, 174, 176, 178, 180, 182 havebeen disclosed as being radially positioned with respect to the D-pads110, 112, such may be arranged in side-by-side relationship or inangularly spaced relationship with respect to the D-pad 110, 112.Further, one or more of such switch pushbuttons may be associated withmulti-position switches, and in particular, may be associated withtwo-position switches wherein one keystroke is accomplished bydepressing one end of the switch and a separate keystroke is enabled bydepression of the opposing end, as in a rocker type switch.

The upper surface controls 104 may also include a pair ofmulti-directional switches 154 and 156. Multi-directional switch 154 maybe a cursor displacement control switch for inputting one of fourdirectional inputs for use by a computer as an input for moving thecursor on a display screen. Multi-directional switch 156 may be utilizedas a page/file displacement control switch to provide the PAGE UP, PAGEDOWN, HOME and END functions when system 100 is in a keyboard mode.Those switches may serve other functions when system 100 is in otherthan a keyboard mode. A plurality of single or multiple positionswitches may be provided to serve as function switches 152, providingthe function switch input commonly found on conventional personalcomputer keyboards.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a rear view of the ergonomic base 102 of dataentry system 100 is shown in order to depict the side surface controls106. The hand grip portions 114 and 116 extend substantiallyorthogonally with respect to the upper surface of the ergonomic baseallowing the user's hands to be disposed in a more natural verticalorientation. As each of the user's hands are wrapped around therespective handgrip portions 114 and 116, the user's digits are able tooperate the side surface control switches 106 located on the back side105 of ergonomic base 102. In the embodiment shown, each of the user'sforefingers is intended to operate a selected one of two switchpushbuttons 192 and 194, 186 and 188. Each of the switch pushbuttons192, 194, 186 and 188 are associated with two-position switchesproviding one keystroke when the user depresses a first end of theswitch pushbutton 192a, 194a, 186a, 188a and another keystroke when theuser depresses the opposing second end of the switch pushbutton 192b,194b, 186b, 188b. Below the forefinger operated switch pushbuttons thereis provided an additional two-position switch associated with switchpushbuttons 196, 190 for operation by a respective one of the user'smiddle fingers, with the remaining digits of the user being utilized tograsp the handgrip portions 114 and 116 and maintain the stability ofdata entry system 100.

The back side 105 of ergonomic base 102 is also provided with an opticalcommunications port 200 for providing a wireless interface with one ormore systems, as will be further described in following paragraphs. Port200 consists of an infrared transparent window behind which is disposedone or more photo sensors and infrared emitting devices (not shown). Forproviding a hard wire interface, system 100 includes an interface cable198. Interface cable 198 has connectors for coupling to a computer'skeyboard port and the computer's game port or the controller port of adedicated game system on an opposing end thereof (not shown). As analternate to connecting to the personal computer's game port, theinterface connection with the personal computer may be by way of thecomputer's serial or parallel ports, in addition to the keyboard portinterface, or the interface cable may provide coupling to an interfacebus of the computer.

In the keyboard mode, initiated by use of one of the mode selectioncontrols 108, such as the switch 108a, shown in FIG. 1, character codesare transmitted from data system 100 by independent operation of any ofthe upper surface controls 104 and side surface controls 106. By use ofthe D-pads 110 and 112, and the plurality of two-position side surfacecontrols 106, the character codes for at least a majority of thealphabetic characters of an alphabet can be generated by singleindividual switch operations, without resorting to chording. Where acombinational key activation (chording) is to be utilized, system 100utilizes a cross-coupling technique, wherein a switch closure activatedby a user's left thumb is combined with the operation of one of the sidesurface controls 192, 194 or 196. Conversely, when a switch closureactivated by the user's right thumb is to be part of a combinational keyactivation, such is combined with operation of one of the switches 186,188 or 190 operated by the digits of the user's left hand.

An exemplary representation of the character codes generated byindividual and combinational switch activations is shown in Table 1.

                                      TABLE 1                                     __________________________________________________________________________    SW    186a                                                                             146b                                                                             188a                                                                             188b                                                                             190a                                                                             190b                                                                             192a                                                                             192b                                                                             194a                                                                             194b                                                                             196a                                                                             196b                                   __________________________________________________________________________    130                     2  1  4  3  6  5                                      132                                                                              d                    '  "  ;  :  !  ?                                      134                                                                              h                    to the                                                                              of and                                                                              in for                                    136                                                                              b                    |                                                                       -- >  }  <  {                                      150                                                                              .                                                                          158                                                                              p  7  8  9  0  +  -                                                        160                                                                              r  /  *  \                                                                      #  @  &                                                        162                                                                              w  $  %     .sup.with                                                                        .sup.that                                                                        .sup.was                                                 164                                                                              n  .sup.)                                                                           .sup.]                                                                           .sup.(                                                                           .sup.[                                                                           .sup.˜                                                                     .sup.'                                                   166                                                                              ,                                                                          186a                                                                             .sup.space                                                                 186b                                                                             a                                                                          188a                                                                             l                                                                          188b                                                                             e                                                                          190a                                                                             m                                                                          190b                                                                             I                                                                          192a                                                                             .sup.space                                                                 192b                                                                             0                                                                          194a                                                                             s                                                                          194b                                                                             u                                                                          196a                                                                             t                                                                          196b                                                                             y                                                                          138                                                                              .sup.shift                                                                 140                                                                              .sup.enter                                                                 142                                                                              f                    Esc.                                                                             Esc.                                               144                                                                              j                    TAB                                                                              TAB                                                146                                                                              g                                                                          148                                                                              k                                                                          126                                                                              Alt                                                                        128                                                                              Ctl                                                                        168                                                                              Alt                                                                        170                                                                              Ctl                                                                        172                                                                              v                                                                          174                                                                              z                                                                          176                                                                              q  Back                                                                             Back                                                                       Spc.                                                                             Spc.                                                                 178                                                                              x  DEL                                                                              INS                                                                  180                                                                              .sup.shift                                                                 182                                                                              .sup.enter                                                                 __________________________________________________________________________

As shown in Table 1, all of the alphabetic characters in the Englishlanguage are generated by individual switch closures, a portion thereofbeing generated by the upper surface controls 104 and a remainingportion being generated by the side surface controls 106.

When the mode is changed from the keyboard mode to the game controllermode, such as by activating switch 108a for a second time, the uppersurface controls 104 and side surface controls 106 provide device inputsignals that are output to a computer's game port or to the controllerinput port of a dedicated game system. Thus, one or both of the D-pads110, 112 provide directional input for use by game software and one ormore of the side surface controls 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, 196 provideswitch closure signals which are typically utilized by game software tocontrol the firing of weapons, and provide control of particularmaneuvers of the game icons, such as jumping, flying, and the like.

When in a mode to control some other device, such as a telephone,dedicated Internet connection device, a TV/cable tuner, videoentertainment device, or an audio entertainment device, the uppersurface controls 104 and side surface controls 106 are utilized toprovide the necessary signals to control the device, answer or dial atelephone, move a cursor, change the channel of a tuner, initiate theplaying of a video tape or disc, or to change the volume or station on astereo, for example. The particular switches of upper surface controls104 and side surface controls 106 which are utilized to perform thosefunctions, are not important to the inventive concepts embodied herein,and it is contemplated that such assignments may be programmable by theusers to suit their own tastes.

Due to the large number of control functions which are possibleutilizing upper surface controls 104 and side surface controls 106, thecontrol of several devices may be combined in a single mode. Thus, ahome entertainment mode could include operation of a TV cable tuner 340,one or more video devices 350 and one or more audio devices 360,utilizing the separate D-pads 110 and 112 and the switch pushbuttons186, 188, 190, 192, 194 and 196. In such an arrangement, data entrysystem 100 would be interfaced with a personal computer 300 utilizingthe interface cable 198 for communicating with the computer in both thekeyboard mode and the game controller device mode. In the homeentertainment device mode, data entry system 100 could communicate withthe various devices to be controlled utilizing the opticalcommunications port 200.

Therefore, it can be seen that data entry system 100 is very versatileand may be utilized to interface with a plurality of entertainment,computational and communications devices, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Dataentry system 100 is intended to communicate with a computer 300, whichmay be a personal computer, wherein a data link 302 may be establishedutilizing the interface cable 198 or optical communications port 200.When coupled to computer 300, data entry system 100 may be utilized in akeyboard mode wherein the single and combinational switch closuresprovided through operation of the upper surface controls 104 and sidesurface controls 106 establish signals which are output to the computerto represent alphanumeric characters, punctuation, mathematicaloperators, and commonly used words such as "the", "to", "and", "of","for", "in", "with", "that", and "was", for example. When the computeris utilized for playing games, data entry system 100 is switched into agame controller mode, wherein the same switch closures which previouslygenerated a character code input to the keyboard port of the computer,now are input to the game port as input signals representing directionaland operational control signals.

Data entry system 100 may be coupled directly to a dedicated game system310, such as the type manufactured by Nintendo, Sega, Sony and othersfor communication over a data link 312. If the dedicated game system 310accepts alphanumeric character input codes, data entry system 100 may beutilized in a mode to provide such input. Whether coupled to computer300 or dedicated game system 310, data entry system 100 may be placed inother device modes for communicating with other systems, such as thetelephone system 320 through the data channel 322. When coupled totelephone system 320, the user provides voice input through a microphone184, and receives voice output by means of a speaker (not shown) locatedin the telephone system 320 or data entry system 100. Preferably, thecommunications over the data link 322 would be a wireless communicationslink such as by use of the optical communications port 200, but may beby way of a radio frequency communications port disposed withinergonomic base 102. Similarly, data entry system 100 may be utilized forinterface with a dedicated Internet device 330 through a data link 332,to provide the appropriate keyboard character codes and cursorpositioning input to the Internet device 330. As previously mentioned,data entry system 100, acting as an infrared remote control, may beutilized to control such home entertainment devices as the TV/cabletuner 340 through data link 342, video device 350 (which may be a videotape recorder, video disc player, or the like) through the data link352, and the audio entertainment device 360 (which may be a stereotuner, audio tape deck, CD player, or the like) through the data link362. The particular data links 302, 312, 322, 332, 342, 352, 362represent a hardwired or wireless communications path for unidirectionalor bidirectional transmission of data, utilizing the appropriate codingfor the particular device being communicated with.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a block diagram of the circuitarrangement for coupling the switch closures of the upper surfacecontrols 104 and side surface controls 106 to the appropriate port. Asthe coding circuitry for converting individual switch closures into thedigital character codes utilized by most computers are well known, suchare not detailed here. The coding and decoding circuit block 240includes the well known circuitry for converting switch closures tocharacter codes and for decoding any control signals which may besupplied from the computer to the keyboard. The coding and decodingcircuitry 240 is controlled by input from the mode selection switches108, allowing different coding schemes to be utilized, depending uponthe mode selected, and coupling such to either the keyboard port,through a respective portion 198b of the interface cable 198 or to thegame, serial, or parallel port through portion 198a of the interfacecable 198, as required by the computer being communicated with. Anoutput of the coding and decoding circuitry 240 is also coupled todisplay driver circuitry 250, which in turn provides an output to theLCD display 118 for indicating the mode of system 100. Other informationtransmitted between the computer and system 100 may also be displayed onLCD display 118. Coding and decoding circuitry 240 also provides anoutput to several light emitting diodes (LEDs) to indicate the status ofcertain keyboard functions. In particular, the LED 242 may represent theNUM LOCK indicator, the LED 244 may represent the CAP LOCK indicator andthe LED 246 may represent the SCROLL LOCK indicator.

In the keyboard mode, the individual contact closures of the uppersurface controls 104 and side surface controls 106 are coupled to thecoding and decoding circuitry 240 by means of an output selectioncircuit 230. Output selection circuit 230 provides a switching functionresponsive to the mode of operation selected through the mode selectioncontrols 108. Thus, in the keyboard mode the switch closures from theupper surface controls 104 and side surface controls 106 are passed tothe coding and decoding circuitry 240. In the game controller mode,however, the switch closures of the upper surface controls 104 and sidesurface controls 106 are coupled directly to the game port through theportion 198a of the interface cable 198. Alternately, the cable portions198a and 198b may be replaced with a connection to the opticalcommunications port 200 for providing a wireless coupling with thecomputer, and/or other device.

Data entry system 100' represents an alternate configuration wherein theback side 105' of the ergonomic base 102' provides two directionalswitches to be operated by the digits of each of the user's hands, asshown in FIG. 2A. In this arrangement, the user's forefingersselectively operate the switch pushbuttons 186, 192 and 188, 194 and themiddle finger is utilized to activate the switch pushbuttons 190 and196, as in the previously described arrangement. The side surfacecontrols 106', however, include two pairs of additional switchpushbuttons for operation by additional digits of the user's hands. Theuser's ring fingers are used to operate the switch pushbuttons 185 and193, respectively, while the user's pinky fingers operate the switchpushbuttons 187 and 195. As each of the side surface control switches106' can provide one of two contact closures, depending upon thedirection in which they are pushed, such provide a total of tendifferent contact closures initiated by four of the digits of each ofthe user's hands, providing a total of twenty contact closures for useindividually to generate characters, or in combination with the uppersurface controls 104, as previously described. For ease of use, only theside surface control switch pushbuttons 186, 188, 190, 192, 194, and 196are utilized in combination with the upper surface control switches 104.Assignment of switch functions for the upper surface control switches104, side surface control switches 106' and the combination thereof isshown in Tables 2 and 3. Table 2 identifies the characters generatedutilizing the user's left thumb and right fingers, and Table 3illustrates the characters generated using the user's right thumb andleft fingers.

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        Sw.      192a    192b    194a  194b  196a  196b                               ______________________________________                                        130  l       2       1     4     3     6     5                                132  b       `       "     ;     :     !     ?                                134  x       to      the   of    and   in    for                              136  j       >       }     <     {     |                                                                          --                               150  .                                                                        126  ALT                                                                      128  CTL                                                                      138  SHIFT                                                                    140  ENTER                                                                    142  ESC.                                                                     144  TAB                                                                      146  -                                                                        148  +                                                                        192a ,                                                                        192b o                                                                        194a k                                                                        194b w                                                                        196a s                                                                        196b a                                                                        193a n                                                                        193b u                                                                        195a g                                                                        195b h                                                                        ______________________________________                                    

                  TABLE 3                                                         ______________________________________                                        Sw.      186a    186b    188a  188b  190a  190b                               ______________________________________                                        158  c       7       8     9     0     +     -                                160  p       /       *     \                                                                         #     @     &                                162  q       $       %           was   that  with                             164  z       )       ]     (     [     .sup.˜                                                                        `                                166  ,                                                                        168  ALT                                                                      170  CTL                                                                      172  ESC.                                                                     174  BK SP                                                                    176  DEL                                                                      178  INS                                                                      180  SHIFT                                                                    182  ENTER                                                                    186a .                                                                        186b e                                                                        188a v                                                                        188b m                                                                        190a r                                                                        190b I                                                                        185a t                                                                        185b y                                                                        187a f                                                                        187b d                                                                        ______________________________________                                    

As data entry system 100' utilizes all of the user's digits for dataentry, it may be difficult for the user to both support the ergonomicbase 102 while operating the upper surface control switches 104 and sidesurface control switches 106' and such could also be true for system100. To provide additional support for data entry system 100, 100' theergonomic base 102, 102' may employ strategically located indentations(not shown) or finger loop supports 120 coupled to the respective handgrip portions 114 and 116 of the ergonomic base 102, 102'. Although thefinger loop supports are only shown in conjunction with theconfiguration shown in FIG. 2A, such is applicable for use with theconfiguration shown in FIG. 2. Each finger loop support 120 includes apair of support rings 122, each having an aperture 124 through which theuser's respective fingers pass. By use of the finger loop supports 120the ergonomic base 102, 102' can be supported during periods of timewhen the user's grip is lessened due to utilization of the user's digitsto depress respective switches of the side surface controls 106, 106'.

To make use of data entry system 100, 100' easier to use, indiciacarrying labels 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, 214, 216, 217 and 223 areprovided, as shown in FIG. 4. Label 217 includes respective fingerswitch label portions 218, 220 and 222 which represent the switchpushbuttons 186, 188 and 190 disposed on the back side 105 of ergonomicbase 102. Each of the labeled portions 218, 220 and 222 carry indiciaindicating the particular character generated when the switch isoperated. Additionally, each is color coded to aid the user inidentifying the characters generated when the respective switches 186,188 and 190 are utilized in combination with the D-pad 112. Angularlydisposed about the D-pad 112 are thumb switch labels 210, 212, 214 and216. Each of the labels is located adjacent a respective switch position(north, east, south, west) and carrying indicia indicating theparticular characters generated when that particular switch position isoperated in combination with one of the switches 186, 188, or 190. Therepresentation of characters generated when the particular positions ofthe D-pad 112 are operated independently, are embossed, or otherwiseprinted, on the D-pad disc itself. Each of the labels 210, 212, 214 and216 are divided into two columns with three radially spaced rows todefine six blocks, each block defined thereby being color coded incoordination with the label portions 218, 220 and 222 of label 217,thereby cuing the user as to what character is generated by the switchcombination, by virtue of the matching colors. Similarly, the hand grip116 carries a label 223 with finger switch label portions 224, 226 and228. Although the label portions 224, 226 and 228 are shown to carry thesame color codes as those of label portions 218, 220, 222, such may becoded utilizing different colors. As in the case of D-pad 112, D-pad 110is also surrounded by thumb switch labels 202, 204, 206 and 208, eachsubdivided and color coded, as previously described.

Therefore, it can be seen that data entry system 100, 100' provides anergonomic housing adapted to be held by two hands of a user. Mounted onthe housing are a plurality of switches for operation by at least onedigit of the user's hands. Further, means are provided on the housingfor selecting between a first, game controller, operating mode and asecond, keyboard, operating mode. Within the housing there is providedcircuitry for coupling an output of at least a portion of the pluralityof switches as game input data responsive to the selection of the firstoperating mode and converting an output of at least a portion of theplurality of switches to alphanumeric character code data responsive toselection of the second operating mode. By utilization of directionalswitch pads, commonly utilized in game controllers for input ofalphanumeric characters in the keyboard mode, and utilization of aplurality of side surface control switches, a majority of alphabeticcharacters of an alphabet can be generated without resorting to achording arrangement wherein multiple switches must be utilized incombination. For the English language, all of the alphabetic characterscan be generated without resorting to chording. Still further, otherdevice controlling modes may be incorporated into data entry system 100,those modes providing control signals for controlling one or more of thedevices selected from the group consisting of a video entertainmentdevice, audio entertainment device, cable/television tuning device,telephonic device, Internet interface device, game machine, andcombinations thereof.

Although the invention has been described in connection with specificforms and embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that variousmodifications other than those discussed above may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Forexample, equivalent elements may be substituted for those specificallyshown and described, certain features may be used independently of otherfeatures, and in certain cases, particular locations of elements may bereversed or interposed, all without departing from the spirit or scopeof the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data entry system, comprising:an ergonomic baseadapted to be graspable by two hands of a user, said ergonomic basehaving an upper surface and a side surface; upper surface control meansdisposed on said ergonomic base upper surface and adapted for operationby either of two of a user's digits to generate a first set ofelectrical signals, said first set of electrical signals representing afirst portion of alphabetic characters of an alphabet; and, side surfacecontrol means disposed on said ergonomic base side surface and adaptedfor operation by at least another of a user's digits on either of theuser's two hands to generate a second set of electrical signals whenoperated independently of said upper surface control means, said secondset of electrical signals representing a second portion of alphabeticcharacters of the alphabet, said first and second portions of alphabeticcharacters together representing at least a majority of alphabeticcharacters of the alphabet, said side surface control means generating athird set of electrical signals when operated in combination with saidupper surface control means.
 2. The data entry system as recited inclaim 1 where said ergonomic base includes a pair of hand grip portionsextending angularly with respect to a plane defined by said uppersurface, each of said pair of hand grip portions extending substantiallyorthogonally with respect to said upper surface plane.
 3. The data entrysystem as recited in claim 2 where each of said hand grip portionsincludes support means for assisting in support of said ergonomic basewhile said side surface control means is being operated, said supportmeans being formed by at least a pair of loop-shaped membersrespectively coupled to said pair of hand grip portions for a user'sfingers to pass therethrough.
 4. The data entry system as recited inclaim 1 where said upper surface control means includes at least onemulti-position input device for providing at least four discrete outputsignals representing at least four alphabetic characters responsive tosaid multi-position input device being displaced in each of fourdiscrete directions.
 5. The data entry system as recited in claim 1where said third set of electrical signals are generated only bycombining operation of said upper surface control means by one of auser's hands with operation of said side surface control means by theother of a user's hands.
 6. A data entry system, comprising:an ergonomicbase adapted to be graspable by two hands of a user, said ergonomic basehaving an upper surface and a side surface, said ergonomic baseincluding a pair of hand grip portions extending angularly with respectto a plane defined by said upper surface, each of said hand gripportions being adapted to be grasped by the user's fingers; uppersurface control means disposed on said ergonomic base upper surface,said upper surface control means includes a plurality of first switchesadapted for operation by a user's thumbs to generate a first set ofelectrical signals, said first set of electrical signals representing afirst portion of alphabetic characters of an alphabet; and, side surfacecontrol means disposed on said pair of hand grip portions, said sidesurface control means including a plurality of second switches adaptedfor operation by other of a user's fingers of the user's two hands togenerate a second set of electrical signals when operated independentlyof said upper surface control means, said second set of electricalsignals representing a second portion of alphabetic characters of thealphabet, said first and second portions of alphabetic characterstogether representing at least a majority of alphabetic characters ofthe alphabet, said side surface control means generating a third set ofelectrical signals when operated in combination with said plurality offirst switches.